Jonah and the Big Fish: Teaching Obedience Through Storytelling

Some Bible stories are unforgettable, and Jonah and the big fish is one of them. It’s dramatic, exciting, and full of lessons children can understand. More than just a story about the sea, it teaches kids about obedience, second chances, and God’s never-ending love.

The Story in Simple Words

God asked Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to tell the people to change their ways. But Jonah didn’t want to obey. Instead, he ran away on a ship. A storm came, and Jonah was thrown into the sea, where a huge fish swallowed him. Inside the fish, Jonah prayed to God. After three days, the fish spit him out safely on the shore. This time, Jonah obeyed and went to Nineveh.

Lessons for Children

• Obedience matters – Running away from what’s right often brings trouble.

• God gives second chances – Jonah disobeyed, but God forgave him.

• Prayer changes things – Jonah prayed inside the fish, and God answered.

• We all have a purpose – Just as Jonah had a mission, God has a plan for each of us.

Bringing the Story into Everyday Life

Children may not be swallowed by a big fish, but they understand what it feels like to avoid chores, hide mistakes, or not listen to parents and teachers. Jonah’s story helps them see that obeying brings peace, while running away from responsibility only makes life harder. Most importantly, it shows that God is always ready to forgive and help us start again.

Activities to Reinforce the Lesson

• Coloring page – Give kids a picture of Jonah and the big fish to color while retelling the story.

• Role-play – Let children act out Jonah’s adventure with simple props like a blanket for the sea.

• Prayer time – Encourage kids to write or draw a prayer, just like Jonah prayed in the fish.

• Second-chance jar – Create a family jar where slips of paper remind kids (and parents!) that God offers new opportunities every day.

Why This Story Matters

Jonah’s adventure is more than an exciting tale—it’s a reminder of God’s patience and love. Teaching it to children shows them that even when we fail, God doesn’t give up on us. He listens when we pray and gives us the courage to do what’s right.

A Helpful Resource for Families

Stories like Jonah and the big fish are part of our Coloring with Jesus series. Each volume includes simple retellings of key Bible stories with coloring pages that make learning engaging and fun. You can download a free sample here on Protagonist of the Bible or visit our Amazon product page to explore the full series.